"Can you believe it?" Barris asked Ahsoka, still shocked by the news Anakin had dropped on the Jedi Order. "My master is a father… he has a son…"
"Well, most masters are like parental figures to padawans," Ahsoka hummed with a mischievous smile, she had missed her White Sister so much. "So, technically Master Kenobi is your father."
"Shut up!" Barris blushed at her friend's teasing. "What about Knight Skywalker? Is he your father?"
"Skyguy?!" Ahsoka threw her head back laughing. "No, he is more like my annoying older brother! If anything Master Koon is my father-figure." She threw herself on her bed in Padmé's senatorial apartment, and moaned in delight. This was a good bed. "I am going to enjoy this five weeks fully!"
"The Senate and the Jedi Council added a couple of weeks to your break after cutting your promised two months short because of the issue with… Duchess Kryze," Barris commented, making both of them grimace at the mention of the Duchess. She was no longer seen in a good light by the Jedi Order as a whole, especially with how precious Obi-Wan was to the Jedi.
"Yup! As I am quite advanced with my studies, Skyguy promised me only light schoolwork and spars to keep my skills sharp," Ahsoka groaned in pleasure when Barris began massaging her back. "I might not be in the battlefield but Skyguy made sure to keep me entertained."
"I bet," Barris laughed, playing with Ahsoka's crystal padawan braid. "In less than a year you already have two padawan beads to add to the yellow bead we both entered our padawanship with."
"As if you could say anything! Is that an orange and green bead I see under your yellow bead?" Ahsoka teased. "All that Consular Jedi work with Master Kenobi paid off!"
"I might have earned my orange bead, but barely! Master Skywalker made sure you start walking the same path as him!" Barris teased. "How many languages do you speak now?"
"Six," Ahsoka answered unashamed. "Tortugi, Basic, Binary, Mando'a, Huttese, and Zygerrian. He has started me on Nabooian and got Knight Secure to tutor me in Ryl! By the time I am knighted, it should be eight!"
"Knight Skywalker really knows more languages than he knows what to do with," Barris chuckled. "Do you have any idea what the 501st will do after their break? The two biggest slave traders have been crushed."
"No idea," Ahsoka frowned, her best friend was right. The 501st had been focusing in the front lines, fighting against the Separatists biggest allies, but now that they are done, what will they do? "Maybe send us against Siths? Or maybe send us for rescue mission? Before the war, Skyguy's missions were mostly protection detail and Search & Rescue missions."
"He is good at tracking Force signatures," Barris hummed in agreement. "I hope that's what they do. The idea of them sending you against Sith…" Barris shivered at the thought of her best friend facing those cold and evil Force users.
"B," Ahsoka turned around and dragged her to cuddle next to her on the bed. "Skyguy is quite protective of me, he will never allow me to join the front lines and only let me out of the Ekkreth when the battle is over and the planet had been won. Do you think he would let me chase down a Sith, when the reason he did not chase after Asajj Ventress was to not put me in danger?"
"He would not," Barris agreed with a watery chuckle, quite glad that the two of them had gotten good masters who look after them.
"If we ever come across a Sith, he would order me back to the Ekkreth before slaying the sleemo," Ahsoka continued. "Ventress is one of Count Dooku's best assassins and she did not land a single hit on Skyguy! I am more than protected with him by my side!"
"That's true…" Barris hummed.
"If you are still worried, why not make sure my skills are sharp?" Ahsoka teased her gently. "Let's spar!"
"You are on!"
Meanwhile, Obi-Wan and Korkie were having tea. Quite awkwardly. The silence was heavy as the two of them stared into their tea cups, fidgeting, and evading the other's eyes.
"Ok! This is it!" Anakin announced, entering the living room. Padmé followed closely behind with an apologetic smile. "What are you two even doing? Shouldn't you be getting to know each other? Obi, you can't read his mind! Ask him questions, get to know his hobbies and try them with him! Heck, even go as far as to give him some training!"
"I am not Force sensitive," Korkie repeated for like the tenth time, looking quite confused.
"We know," Padmé smiled gently at him. "But you can still be trained to know how to defend yourself. I know for sure that Obi has one of the best troopers when it comes to shooting, Longshot, right?"
"He is very good," Obi-Wan agreed, trying to collect himself. His partners do know how to make an entrance. "He could teach you how to handle a blaster… and I could teach you hand combat. If you would like?"
"I would like to," Korkie smiled hesitatingly, but still warm and honest.
Suddenly, Ahsoka and Barris barged out of their room. "We are going to the Temple to spar! See you tomorrow!" Ahsoka shouted, as they made their way towards the door.
"Here it's quite lively," Korkie chuckled, as the door was slammed shut behind the padawans. "I like it."
"Good… I like having you here too," Obi-Wan confessed, earning a startled look from Korkie but one that transformed into an open smile.
"I am sorry to do this," Padmé's smile was bashful. "But we have a gala to get ready for."
"No," Anakin moaned. "I should be having a vacation, a break from work. I should not be dealing with senators," he pouted. "Can't you and Obi deal with them?"
"I promise to take the week-end off and go to Naboo with you, the 501st, the 212th, the girls, and Krokie, if you come with us," Padmé bartered.
"You do drive a hard bargain," Anakin hummed thoughtfully. "You know what, deal! I get a week-end with my family and to see you and Obi run circles around senators as you please. It's a win-win for me!" Anakin with the energy and span attention of a kid, kissed all three of them in the forehead, and strutted towards the master bedroom to get ready for tonight's event.
"Is he always like this?" Korkie asked laughing at the ridiculous scene that unfolded before him.
"Always," Padmé and Obi-Wan echoed with a sigh, but were smiling fondly at Anakin's retreating back.
And they both hope he never changes. Why would they? Their dear heart/Ani was perfect just the way he is.
In the grand ballroom, with chandeliers casting a warm, golden glow, the Republic's elite had gathered for a huge event to raise awareness and funds for the war against the Separatists. The room was buzzing with a mix of fancy celebration and the serious reality of the conflicts happening across the galaxy. Anakin, Padmé, and Obi-Wan were right in the middle of it all, standing out in their impressive outfits.
Obi-Wan was there in his classic Jedi Master robes, the deep browns and beiges giving him an air of wisdom and authority. He was chatting with senators and dignitaries, holding the room's attention with his calm, thoughtful conversation.
Anakin was next to him, looking sharp in his Tatooine-inspired outfit. His white and blue clothes flowed gracefully, showing off the desert royalty vibes from his home planet. He scanned the room with those intense blue eyes of his, watching the political scene unfold with a mix of amusement and detachment.
Padmé was like a vision in her stunning ball gown adorned with celestial designs. The gown shimmered like the night sky, and the stars woven into her hair made her look almost otherworldly. Heads turned as she walked by, her presence stopping conversations in their tracks.
Anakin leaned against the wall, arms crossed, a soft smile on his lips as he took it all in. He couldn't help but feel proud watching how his partners handled the political scene. Obi-Wan's calm diplomacy and Padmé's passionate speeches made them quite the team.
Obi-Wan was weaving through conversations with a blend of logic and reason, while Padmé's words were full of spark and conviction. Everyone seemed to hang on their every word, drawn into their discussions like moths to a flame.
Anakin found it pretty entertaining to watch the politicians stumbling over themselves, trying to impress the impressive pair. His eyes wandered to Padmé, admiring her elegance and the way her gown moved with each step. He also couldn't help but sneak glances at Obi-Wan, appreciating the way his robes hinted at what was underneath.
As Anakin watched, a mischievous smile crept across his face as he thought about what might happen when they got home. Tonight was definitely going to be fun.